924Board.org

[Trainee EMT]

Hi there. I realize that it may be more appropriate to ask the 944 boards about this, but I feel quite a bit more at home here on the 924 board, seeing how I started out with a basket case '77 924 back in 2006, I poured about four grand into it, rebuilt the engine with no expense spared and it ran like a champ for a season. Nothing corners like a 924.
And I'd like to clarify the nomenclature briefly, I always say "nine twenty four" as opposed to "nine two four."
Anyway, the 924 is extremely fun to drive, but when the '85 944 came up on Craigslist, I just couldn't resist as I'd learned so much about these cars tinkering on the '77.
There is an extensive breadth of knowledge on this board that I'm sure will cover my particular issues.
When I acquired the '85 I set about doing basic things; bought new tires, new plugs and wires, fixed some body issues, sun roof, thermo fan switch, and in the spring I tackled the timing & balance belts.
I did so without the aid of the expensive tool required, meticulously clicking the cricket and re-adjusting and going over the belt tension until I was just finished worrying about it. Replaced the balance belts, timing belt, along with all the rollers and cogs. Good thing, too because the existing conditions were extremely dicey.
So this car had had a timing belt failure in the past, and thus had a new head. It had also had a rod bearing failure further in the past, and had a replacement engine. The combo was dynamite, and the car will burn rubber like there's no tomorrow, and chirp tires in 2nd gear at speed.
Anyway, I've done a few things to this car and I'm confident that it will continue to be reliable. This summer I intend to replace the timing & balance belts again, last done in 2008 when I bought it, along with a couple of other things.
1) do you think that the manual steering from the 1977 924 will swap into the 1985 944? I'd really like to do this as the power steering robs power from the engine, and manual is just more fun to drive.

2) What timing belt is the best? I've heard that the Gates belt sucks, is this true? Currently running contitechs but the gates belts are way cheaper.

3) Where the heck do I find out the part number for a steering wheel adaptor? I went on the Grant website, clicked on the steering wheel I wanted to buy, clicked on the option for a steering wheel adaptor kit, none in stock. I'd really appreciate some knowledge on the matter before I proceed. I'd rather not go with a MOMO wheel, way to expensive. I'm trying to upgrade the interior a bit -- the seats are perfect, best seats I've ever seen in a 924/944, but the shifter boot looks like crap and the steering wheel is sloughing off leather. I'd rather have a replacement wheel than try to re-skin the existing one.

Thanks so much in advance.
BTW it is a garnet red metallic n/a with phonies and tinted windows.
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'85(1) 944 rocket and a '77 924 brick

[Grenadiers]

The steering rack won't work. I have a manual rack for an early 944 if you are interested. However, it needs one new inner tie rod, and I don't have the lower steering shaft. Hard to find just that.
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'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

[Trainee EMT]

Thanks for the info, I'll think that over. Are there any reputable shops that will re-cover the existing steering wheel? I am aware of DIY kits but I'd really rather have someone else do that.
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'85(1) 944 rocket and a '77 924 brick